Modelagem matemática em coordenadas generalizadas e desenvolvimento de simulador computacional para aplicação em processos de moldagem por transferência de resina.

Abstract

The RTM process is widely used for the production of high quality composite materials. Computer simulations can play an important role in the optimization of this process, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. In this work, it was developed a 2D transient mathematical model for the mold filling stage in RTM process which predicts the twophase flow (air-resin) through porous media. The set of partial differential equations, written in boundary fitted coordinates, is discretized using the finite volume method in a fully implicit approach and solved by using the Newton’s method. It was developed a computational simulator with pre- and post-processing tools to help the definition of simulations parameters and the visualization of the results. To validate the mathematical methodology, numerical results for filling time, flow front position, injection pressure and injection flow rate for rectilinear and radial flows were compared to analytical results from known models. The model was employed to describe the fluid flow of a vegetable oil in a glass fiber preform within a rectangular cavity and the results were compared to experimental data. Some cases involving arbitrary irregular boundaries were also simulated. The proposed model and the simulator generated physically consistent results of the process variables.